Summary:

Josh has a plan: get through uni with a good degree and no debts. Focused on his goals, he’s working as an escort to pay his way. He enjoys the no-strings sex and doesn’t have the time or inclination for a relationship. Falling in love definitely isn’t part of the deal—especially not with a client.
When Rupert meets Josh in a bar, he’s smitten on sight. He’s never paid for sex before, but when Josh propositions him, he can’t resist. He should have known one night would never be enough. Luckily for him, he has an inheritance to support his addiction to Josh, because his job in IT wouldn’t cover the cost.

With each appointment the lines get increasingly blurred. Something is developing between them that feels more like a relationship than a business transaction, but they come from different worlds and to go from client-and-escort to lovers seems impossible. If they want a future together, Josh and Rupert have a lot to overcome.

Story Review:

Pizzygirl reviewed the book earlier and I agree with her completely so I’m just going to use her words:

Awww, Jay Northcote always delivers with the warm and fuzzy. I was thoroughly satisfied with the ending and finished this book with a happiness inside that left me all giddy.

I loved Josh and I loved Rupert. They were such great characters. Both men were independent and strong and were free with their emotions and affection, even when they were trying to hide behind the fake wall of “rent boy” sex. These men were so cute together and I loved watching them try so hard to adapt to a situation they both knew wouldn’t last. I loved that they were both thinking the same thing while trying to pretend they weren’t in love. It was fabulous.

And there should be no surprise that this book was full of delicious and steamy sex. These men were so passionate and compatible in bed. Given, Josh was a sex worker, but that was not what made this HOT. It was that passion. It was that emotional connection they shared from the very beginning, even though they tried to deny it, that made the sex more than just sex. It was HOT and yet, even when it was rough and frenzied, it was tender and loving. The sex spoke what these men were avoiding. This was definitely a novella that did the sex right. This was not sex equals love, but a great example of how sex can demonstrate that two people are in love. Sex was not used to take the place of emotion, but rather to highlight all the ways the emotions were present.

I also liked that while this did have a very distinct “Pretty Woman” vibe to it, the author acknowledged the cliche and then made it her own. She skirted that line that ,if crossed, would have made this story trite and predictable. Instead she gave us this story that was in ways predictable, but still so touching that the reader could not help but pull for the happy outcome. She also gave us a main character that insisted on being independent even in the face of the perfect way out. I love that there was emotional angst, but that it was not annoying or over the top. It was just enough to make the ending make sense and leave the reader with a feeling of completeness.

I love Jay Northcote as an author. I always know that I can pick up her works and be utterly satisfied. Like a Loverwas well rounded and gave me everything I needed to feel connected to these men and their relationship. I finished this book with a smile in my heart and on my face. Pick this one up for something short, but perfectly balanced.

Narration Review:

Mark Steadman is a fantastic narrator. Just like in the first book of the series he did great with all the characters here. He is a joy to listen to with a calm tone and varying timbre.

Links

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with the audiobook of this title in exchange for my honest opinion.

Farewell Giveaway
I have a number of paperbacks, most of which are signed, to giveaway. Over the between now (11 Mar 2017) and 31 Mar 2017, every comment on the blog (this post and all other new posts), will be entered to win 1 of these paperbacks. There are also some misc swag items, so there will be a few packs of these to give away as well.

Thank you so much for your support over the last 4 years. Prism will be closing its doors on 1 April 2017. All content will remain available, but no new content will appear after 31 Mar 2017. As such all request forms have been turned off. Again Thank you,